Grey Water Tank Problem

[charliem]

[quote source="/post/8451/thread" timestamp="1427324260" author="@james"][p] I have a possible fix in mind, but it may not be feasible. If you could remove the abs pipe on the side of the holding tank you may be able to see, and perhaps even be able to correct the supposed problem. See attached, drill a series of vent holes as as shown in the drawing. It would require a jobbers drill bit(s) and maybe an extension. A long shot???[/p][p]
[/p][p][/p][/quote][font size="3"]James,

An interesting idea, but I don't know how you would get access to the pipe. We just don't know the details of the tank/pipe interface. Just keep those brain cells firing!  8-)[/font]

[jeeps]

[font size="3"]Update.  

Bryce measured the depth of the gray tank and it is about 6 inches deep.  By measuring the length of the vent pipe, he found it extends down into the gray tank, to approx. two inches from the bottom of the tank.  That makes it 4 inches too low/deep into the tank, meaning that the tank can only be filled 1/3 full before the problem starts.  The tank capacity is 32 gallons and it'll accept 10 gallons before the gurgling and spitting, so the numbers make sense.  

He could not pull the vent pipe up, per Don's suggestion.  So now he will have to pull out the gray tank and fix it ..... something he has yet to figure out how to do.  Remember we have no warranty.  Fortunately, IMO, he is smarter than the average bear and I have full confidence in his ability.  But what a pain!  He will call LL again in the morning to get more info on how the vent pipe is attached to the gray tank and hopefully get some advice on how to fix their mistake.

PS -- I showed him James' idea about drilling the holes and he is really intrigued.  Will report back again.  
 
(Sorry you have to put up with me being the go-between here.  He's more of a doer than a writer.) 


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[charliem]

[font size="3"]Brenda,

Thanks for the update and thanks to Bryce for his work. If his measurements prove correct they certainly explain what we're seeing. I'm thinking it should be RECALL time at LL.
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[djsamuel]

Thanks to all who are contributing to this thread. It may explain why our grey tank "filled" so quickly when taking showers while camping at the Grand Canyon in September.

[jtelles3993]

Dropping the gray tank does look to be the best option for a permanent fix and not too bad of a job for someone with decent mechanical skills. I also like the idea of drilling vent holes into the pipe rather than taking a chance of cutting it off too short.

[leslie]

I was wondering if this problem were unique to 21-RBS. However, djsamuel has a 21-BHS, and he has a similar problem. Does this problem show up immediately or after some miles are put on the unit?

Not having any problems with gray tank on mine so far, knock on aluminum.

[charliem]

[font size="3"]Brenda,

[/font][font size="3"]Please pass on to Bryce: If you do decide to drop the gray tank, proceed with caution. I'd call Don and press for details on how the tank penetrations are accomplished. There are two, one on the street side for the vent/shower and another on the curb side for the two sinks. I'm hoping some sort of sliding gasket seal to allow dropping the tank, but I don't really know. Maybe you can convince Don to bring in his shop supervisor or an engineer to supply the details. You don't want to break something and be in worse shape.
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[jeeps]

[quote source="/post/8470/thread" timestamp="1427376006" author="@charliem"][font size="3"]Brenda,

[/font][font size="3"]Please pass on to Bryce: If you do decide to drop the gray tank, proceed with caution. I'd call Don and press for details on how the tank penetrations are accomplished. There are two, one on the street side for the vent/shower and another on the curb side for the two sinks. I'm hoping some sort of sliding gasket seal to allow dropping the tank, but I don't really know. Maybe you can convince Don to bring in his shop supervisor or an engineer to supply the details. You don't want to break something and be in worse shape.
[/font][/quote][font size="3"]Yes, he crawled under it last night and was able to reach up and feel the type of seal and it is what you describe.  He feels confident that it's doable.  And I get to help ......  [/font]

[charliem]

[font size="3"]How lucky can a girl get??
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[jtelles3993]

Brenda (and Bryce), I'm sure you guys plan to document any findings with photos, but wanted to mention because this problem may become a recall issue. Your efforts will be important.. thx. Be careful under there.

[jeeps]

[font size="3"]Gray tank vent fixed!

It was exactly as we thought.  It took him about an hour and I didn't know he was working on it.... he just surprised me.   (My husband is brilliant.)  He cut off about 3 inches of the vent pipe.  Pictures and details coming as soon as I can figure out how to post them.  [/font]

[mitch]

Bryce = Wile E. Coyote,  super genious.

[charliem]

[quote source="/post/8500/thread" timestamp="1427410122" author="@brenda"][font size="3"]Gray tank vent fixed!

It was exactly as we thought.  It took him about an hour and I didn't know he was working on it.... he just surprised me.   (My husband is brilliant.)  He cut off about 3 inches of the vent pipe.  Pictures and details coming as soon as I can figure out how to post them.  [/font][/quote][font size="3"]Great news........I think. Certainly confirms what we've been postulating and absolves the AAVs. It's also great news that Bryce only took an hour to fix it, even without Brenda's help. However, now the rest of us have to decide if we want to take it on DIY, or start the battle with LL on warranty coverage  . Either way Bryce is due a big vote of thanks, as is his faithful reporter Brenda. Looking forward to pix and detailed step by step instructions     .
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[daplumbr]

And the collective wisdom of this forum is once again demonstrated in spades. Go team! 

[kycamper]

I started this thread because I noticed this problem the first time I took the new trailer out for its " shake out. " I always believed it was a venting issue. I had a long talk with Don about it last February while we were camping in Florida. Is there any way we can print up this thread  and send it to Don and demand a recall??

I want this issue resolved BEFORE we go on our long summer excursion. I agree with the others that I don't want to DIY. It is their problem. They should be happy that we, all, have apparently solved the riddle.

What is the next course of action??